R&B singer Chris Brown arrived at Southwark Crown Court on Friday for a case management hearing ahead of his trial over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub. The 37-year-old waved to supporters as he entered the building, flanked by security guards.
Brown, wearing a tan suit, gold-rimmed sunglasses and a St Louis Cardinals baseball hat, was greeted by a small group of fans who played his music and shouted their support. Security guards and police officers were stationed outside the court.
The singer has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm against Abraham Diaw, as well as possession of an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place. The alleged incident occurred at the Tape private members’ club in Mayfair on February 19, 2023.
It is claimed that Mr Diaw was struck several times with a bottle before being kicked and punched after encountering Brown and his entourage at the venue's Dirty Martini club night. Brown's vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, has also denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in connection with the same incident.
Brown is due to face a jury trial on October 26. As part of his bail conditions, he was ordered to pay a £5 million security fee and allowed to go on a world tour on the condition that he surrendered his passport on arrival in each country.
